William iibckeet



(No Model) W. HEOKERT.

GRIP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

No. 318,619. Patented May 26, 1885.

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VVIIJIJIAM IIECKEBT, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO G. HILTONSCRIBNER, OF SAME PLACE.

GRiP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,6 19,-dated Why 26,1885.

Application filed March 21, 1885. (N0 model.)

To ccZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM HECKERT, of

Yonkers. in the county of W'estchester and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable-Grips forConnecting and Operating Cars on Cable Railroads; and I do herebydeclare that the followmg is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the lettersofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specificatron.Figure 1 represents an end elevation of my linproved cable-grip, showingthe frame F and crank-shaft D in section and of a part of cable-tube.Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the said grip.

This invention relates to railroads in which traction-cables are used topropel the cars, and is intended to form the connection between the carsand the driving or traction cable, admitting of the cars being startedand stopped at any time or point, either by hand or automatically. It isso constructed that one cable may be released and another cable takenhold ofat any time or place along the line when two cables are used, thedegree of grip with which it holds to the cable being governedautomatically in proportion to the load to be drawn.

In Fig. 1, A represents a bracket, which is to be fixed to the underside of the car, on which the grip is held, and G C the tube in whichthe cables move when placed under ground. F is the lower part of gripwhich is in said tube, and F the upper part of the grip-frame, which hasa slide-bearing, 251, in the brackets A A. The frame F is made ofmalleable iron or steel casting, and has lugs K K formed on it,extending up inside ofthe brackets A A, and forming verticalslide-bearings for the bars E E and the girt B, which latter connectsthe upper ends of E E together, thelower ends of said bars being casttogether and made to form a bearing for the lower jaw, M, of said grip.Said jaw is secured to and pivoted on a shaft, 6, (shown in Fig. 1,)which shaft is provided on one of its ends with bevel-gear J, working ina corresponding gear on the vertical crank-shaft N, (shown in part bydotted lines in Fig. 2,) the end of which maybe under or extend up into,the car. By turning said crank the jaw M may be moved on its fulcrum 6,through the upper half are of a circle to the opposite horizontalposition at right angles with the bars E E, at which two extreme pointsit becomes rigid and moves vertically with said bars, thereby grippingor releasing the cable H H. When it is desired to change from one cableto the other,the bars E E, with the movable jaw M, are let down, ashereinafter described, until the lower jaw passes under the stationaryupper jaws, I I, and under the cable which it is desired to grip, whenthe lower jaw, M, through the bars E E, and their girt B, which has alug extend ing over the crauk-shaftl),wliich,when turned, lifts saidlowerj aw, gripping the cable slightly. Such slight pull on cable causesthe frame F to move on its slide-bearings t t.

The shaft D has formed on it a central crank at 00, Fig. 2, which crankwhen turned to the left hand passes from under theln g and girt B,permitting the same, with the bars E E and the lower jaw, M, to fall tosuch position that said jaw may swing on its shaft a through the upperhalf of a circle clear of and under the cables H H. By continuing therotation of shaft D, its crank, reaching its lowest point, again passesunder the lug B, lifting the jaw M under the cable up to position shownin drawings. Said shaft D has its bearings in the stationary brackets AA, whereby longitudinal movement of shaft is prevented. Said shaft isprovided with inclines S S in addition to the throw of crank. The lug Bis therefore compelled to move up one or the other incline S, therebyincreasing the grip on cable in proportion to the resistance or load tobe drawn.

The shaft D is also provided with bevelgears L, shaft, and wheel G,through which the grip maybe operated by hand; or it may be operatedautomatically and independently by means of the vertical shaft B, whichhas horizontal arms secured to its lower end, extending right and leftof the grip, a stop, 1?, being secured to the cable-tube O G at all suchpoints as may be desirable to release the cable automatically. The carand arms V V,

being in motion, strike the stop P,ca using the shaft R and gears Ltomake a partial revolution, and thereby turn the shaft D with the throwof a crank down, releasing the grip on cable. In like manner a stop inthe opposite cable-tube section would strike the corresponding oppositelever V V, and cause the grip to be closed again. It is evident thatsuch stops placed at crossings of other cable roads would allow the carto proceed at full speed to the crossing, where the first stop wouldrelease the cable, and the car by its momentum, having passed over theother track, strikes the second stop, gripping the cable and proceedingon its way, requiring no attention of conductor or driver whatever.

The shaft D may be extended so as to place hand-wheels G on both ends ofthe car. The

' upper jaws, I I, are stationary, being formed on and a part of theframe F, with recesses for interchangeable shoes for gripping the cable.

The lower and movablejaw, M, is made with both sides adapted to grip thecable,and has a recess formed 011 both sides, in which wooden ormetallic shoes may be placed to renew the same when worn. Each end ofsaid jaw is also provided with friction rollers to act on both sideswhen the cable is released and moving through said grip free of theshoes.

The brackets A A have round sockets formed in each end to receive theends of steel or rubber springs. (Notshown) The other ends rest againstthe lugs K K on the frame F, whereby the said frame is caused to returnto a central position each time whenever the cable is released, the lugB coming over the crank between the inclines S S on the shaft D where itis held by said springs ready for the next operation.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and wish to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. The brackets A A, fixed to the car,with slides t t for receiving theframe F and shaft D, all constructed as and for the purposes specified.

2. The frame F, with fixed jaws I I, in combination withbars E E, havingchangeable jaw M, pivoted on shaft 6, to move through the upper arc of acircle, as and for purposes speci 5o 3. The brackets A A, frame F,reversible jaw M, operated by gears J, and shaft N, constructed as andfor purposes specified.

4. The shaft D, with combined crank and inclines S S, for regulatingdegree of grip, in combination with girt B, bars E E, and reversible jawM, as and for purposes specified.

5. The shaft D, gears L, shaft and handwheel G, in combination withshaft R, and arms V V, to be operated by fixed stops P, as and forpurposes specified.

WVitness my hand this 8th July, 1884.

WM. HEGKERT.

WVitnesscs:

LAURA A. HECKERT, FRANCIS L. HEOKERT.

